First, I am interested in the nature of the relationship between ONAC and the UDV. Would you mind providing further details to substantiate your claim?

Regarding the Mooneys’ victory in Utah Supreme Court, my understanding, based on careful reading of the documents and communication with experts in the field, is that this victory is limited to the state of Utah only, and to the use of peyote only. Can you provide documentation that proves otherwise? Or can you please refer me to the judicial or legal precedent that gives ONAC the right to use other substances legally as a matter of religious freedom (notwithstanding state legislation that has legalized the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes)? Please be aware that false claims to this end will not be approved for posting on this site.

Can you provide more information regarding your assertion that AHNAC decided to withdraw from ONAC rather than comply with ONAC’s ethics rules? Are you willing to provide copies of probationary documents to back up your claims? In an article published September 16, 2016, the reporter asked Trinity de Guzman about Mooney’s decision not to renew their relationship with AHNAC. “He hasn’t said that to us before,” de Guzman was quoted as saying.

Finally, I must respond to your assertion that Mr. Fool Bull’s and Mr. Swallow’s blessings have legitimized ONAC’s mission “to take the medicine to the ‘white man.’” Regardless of who these individuals are, the history of Native American and European interactions is one of divide and conquer, in which Europeans and now, their descendants—the ‘white man’ as you say—have exploited their alliances with individuals or groups in order to gain dominion over their lands and now, as in your case, their cultures. The blessing of one or two individuals does not grant ONAC and its affiliates the right to claim ownership of or authority over indigenous culture—especially when ONAC and its members have been repeatedly rejected and repudiated by far larger groups of indigenous people and their representatives, i.e. the National Council of Native American Churches. I commend Mr. Fool Bull for his ability to forgive those who have wronged him, his family, and his people. However, I reject the notion that his forgiveness extends to all those of indigenous North American descent.

Finally, I stand behind my assertion that ONAC’s claims to legality are false. Beyond the very limited scope of the Utah ruling, ONAC’s claims to grant its members the legal right to use controlled substances are simply untrue. The various arrests and convictions of ONAC and ONAC-affiliate members speak for themselves.